The Science of Protein Synthesis
By Elizabeth Carter | Published June 2026
Muscle protein synthesis is the process by which the body repairs and builds muscle tissue after exercise. It is essentially the biological mechanism behind muscle growth.
The Role of Leucine
Leucine is the primary branched-chain amino acid responsible for triggering the mTOR pathway, which signals the body to begin building muscle.
Timing Matters
Consuming high-quality protein within 2 hours of a workout maximizes this synthesis window.